Guide to the Use of Slag Cement in Concrete and Mortar

ACI 233R-17: Guide to the Use of Slag Cement in Concrete and Mortar

Unlock the full potential of supplementary cementitious materials with ACI 233R-17, the authoritative guide for engineers and specifiers. This essential document provides comprehensive insights into the proper application of slag cement, empowering professionals to enhance concrete performance, durability, and sustainability.

What is ACI 233R-17?

ACI 233R-17, "Guide to the Use of Slag Cement in Concrete and Mortar," is an industry-leading publication from the American Concrete Institute. It offers detailed guidance on the characteristics, proportioning, and application of granulated blast-furnace slag (GBFS) when used as a cementitious material in concrete and mortar. The standard's primary purpose is to equip professionals with the knowledge to effectively and responsibly incorporate slag cement into their projects.

Scope & Purpose

This comprehensive guide governs the use of slag cement derived from granulated iron blast-furnace slag as a separate cementitious material in combination with portland cement for producing concrete and mortar. It details material properties, storage, handling, batching, mixture proportioning, and the effects of slag cement on both fresh and hardened concrete properties. The scope specifically excludes slags derived from the smelting of materials other than iron or steel.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary Audience: Concrete Technologists, Materials Engineers, Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers, and Construction Managers.
• • Industries Affected: Construction, Civil Engineering, Building Materials Manufacturing, and Infrastructure Development.
• • Compliance Nature: Recommended, as it is a guide, but widely adopted in specifications for best practice.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically ensured through project specifications and quality control measures overseen by engineers and project owners.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard outlines several key requirements for the effective use of slag cement:

• • Material Characterization: Professionals must ensure that slag cement meets established standards for chemical and physical properties to guarantee consistent performance.
• • Proportioning Guidance: The guide provides proven methods for proportioning concrete and mortar mixes containing slag cement, including considerations for ternary systems and chemical admixtures.
• • Fresh Concrete Properties: Engineers must understand and account for the effects of slag cement on workability, setting times, air entrainment, bleeding, and slump loss.
• • Hardened Concrete Performance: The standard details how slag cement influences strength development, modulus of rupture and elasticity, creep, shrinkage, and resistance to various environmental factors like sulfate attack, alkali-silica reaction, and freeze-thaw cycles.
• • Application Best Practices: Key provisions include recommendations for storage, handling, batching, and specific applications, from mass concrete to high-performance mixes.

Related Standards & References

ACI 233R-17 works in conjunction with other ACI documents and ASTM standards. Complementary standards include:

• • ACI 318, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete: For structural design considerations where slag cement is used.
• • ASTM C989, Standard Specification for Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag for Use in Concrete and Mortars: For material quality and performance criteria.
• • **ACI 211.1, Standard Practice for Selecting